Preparing for parenthood

Pregnancy is one of the biggest life changes most people ever experience. Over the years there has been a dramatic increase in the number of decisions parents have to make. Parents need access to reliable information and the opportunity to discuss the options available. The government report Changing Childbirth led by Baroness Cumberledge identified what parents want from maternity services. These include:

• to make choices about their care as equal partners with doctors and midwives.
• to be given reliable information when making decisions.
• to feel in control of themselves and of what happens to them.

Berwick Maternity unit aims to meet these needs in an informal and relaxed way. Prospective parents are invited to a series of four parentcraft sessions held at the maternity unit by a midwife and a health visitor. They are held on the first four Thursdays of every month between 7pm and 8.30pm. The groups are small and partners are very welcome.

Our aims of these sessions are:

• to provide an opportunity to explore and discuss anxieties, expectations and individual needs.
• to promote an healthy and positive attitude towards pregnancy and labour and teach strategies for coping.
• to encourage parents to meet and provide support for each other.
• to inform parents about all aspects of pregnancy, birth and parenthood.

Sessions are self led but will include such topics as stages of labour, giving birth, pain relief, infant feeding, parenting and postnatal depression as well as a look around the maternity unit. The services of a physiotherapist are available to provide sessions of relaxation and exercises to help you in pregnancy, labour and at the birth of your pregnancy. One of the greatest benefits of parentcraft sessions are friendships which can become lifeline and provide comfort and support during the years of early childhood.

Brad Cheek 1998